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As parents and carers, we spend a lot of time trying to instill good habits into our kids. Gentle reminders to say please and thank you, to not interrupt, and to keep their elbows off the table at dinner are important life skills.
These small people rely entirely on our say-so, on our knowledge of the world, and on how to behave. Yes, there are, and always will be outside influences. But for the most, their understanding comes from inside the home.
And beyond grasping how to brush their teeth, how to tie their shoelaces, and how to fasten their coats, our young people must learn to be kind (which is easier said than done when they don’t want to share their favorite toy!)
These kindness quotes for kids are perfect for building confidence, compassion, and an overall warm heartedness in your mini-me.
How Do We Teach Kids to Be Kind in an Unkind World?
The world around us can seem very unkind, especially to young children.
Why is that man homeless? Why does that boy have holes in his shoes? Why didn’t that girl have any food for lunch?
And whilst we can’t throw on a superhero cape and fix all the problems (although that would be cool), it is important to help our children understand what’s happening. And how they may be able to make that person smile again.
Kindness doesn’t have to cost anything more than time. But the value added to someone’s life by sharing a smile when they don’t have one of their own is immeasurable. It brings warmth, and hope, and a restored faith in humanity.
It’s a shared jump rope in the playground. A hug when someone who isn’t their friend falls and scrapes their knee. It’s including others, without judgment or discrimination. And being open to every way of life.
But these moments of compassion, of caring, and kindness aren’t instinctive. We aren’t born knowing to share or to make time for others, just like we aren’t born knowing to bully or hate.
And the responsibility to teach and to guide lays firmly with the people who surround that child. Parents, Grandparents, Aunts, and Uncles. Teachers, Officers, and even the local shopkeeper.
As adults, we are all responsible for teaching, and mentoring our children. And, of course, helping them grow into the kind, young people we can be proud of.
So let's get started with these 53 kindness quotes for kids.
53 Kindness Quotes for Kids About Helping Others
- “If you can be anything, be kind” – Unknown
- “What this world needs is a new kind of army – the army of the kind.” – Cleveland Amory
- “Kind hearts are the gardens, kind thoughts are the roots, kind words are the blossoms. Kind deeds are the fruits.” – Kirpal Singh
- “Helping out when you are not asked is an act of kindness.” – Mary Samuel
- “Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.” – Maya Angelou
- “Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life.” – Jackie Chan
- “Be nice to strangers. Be nice even when it doesn’t matter.” – Sam Altman
- If you want to lift yourself up, lift someone else up.” – Booker T. Washington
- “Never get tired of doing little things for others. Sometimes, those little things occupy the biggest part of their hearts.” – Unknown
- “Kindness can be a simple hug to someone special in your life.” – Samuel Singer
- “You can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!” – Anne Frank
- “Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in people.” – Roy T. Bennett
- “Treat everyone with respect and kindness. Period. No exceptions.” – Kiana Tom
- “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” – Dr. Seuss
- “One drop of kindness is all it takes to fill a heart with love.” – Jeff Kubiak
- “Always have a willing hand to help someone, you might be the only one that does.” – Roy T. Bennett
- “Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.” – Henry James
- “Treat everyone with politeness and kindness, not because they are nice, but because you are.” – Roy T. Bennett
- “Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.” – Lucius Annaeus Seneca
- “Be silly, be honest, be kind.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
- “Always stop to think whether your fun may be the cause of another’s unhappiness.” – Aesop
- “A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.” – Amelia Earhart
- “Kind words don’t cost much. Yet they accomplish much.” – Blaise Pascal
- “Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” – Mark Twain
- “When you show people kindness and respect, despite petty differences, you are bringing positive vibes into your life and into the lives of others.” – Jason Scotts
When you show people kindness and respect, despite petty differences, you are bringing positive vibes into your life and into the lives of others.” – Jason Scotts
- “Kindness begins with me.” – Unknown
- “Be mindful. Be grateful. Be positive. Be true. Be kind.” – Roy T. Bennett
- “If you see someone without “smile, give them yours.” – Dolly Parton
- “Because that’s what kindness is. It’s not doing something for someone else because they can’t, but because you can.” – Andrew Iskander
- “Kind people are the best kind of people” – Unknown
- “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” – Dalai Lama
- “Kindness is choosing to acknowledge and celebrate the beauty in others, regardless of whether or not they can find it in themselves.” – Raktivist
- There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” – John Holmes
- “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” – Ronald Reagan
- “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”– Aesop
- “Give yourself some kindness today until you’re filled and pass it on.” – Lori Hil
- “Be somebody who makes everyone feel like a somebody.” – Unknown
- “Kindness is the most important tool to spread love among humanity.” – Unknown
- “Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping them up.” – Jesse Jackson
- “A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” – William Arthur Ward
- A little madness a little kindness makes for happiness. – Nicole Johnson
- “It’s cool to be kind.” – Unknown
- “Be kind to unkind people. They need it the most.” – Ashleigh Brilliant
- “The simple act of caring is heroic.” – Edward Albert
- “If you judge people, then you have no time to love them.” – Mother Teresa
- “How beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it!” – George Elliston
- “Be a little kinder than you have to.” – E. Lockhart
- “Everywhere you go, leave a glitter trail of kindness behind you.” – Unknown
- “If you can’t think of anything nice to say, you’re not thinking hard enough.” – Kid President
- “Never be so busy as not to think of others.” – Mother Teresa
- “Good words bring good feelings to the heart. Speak with kindness, always.” – Rod Williams
- “If you think someone could use a friend, be one.” – Unknown
- “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.” – Unknown
Final Thoughts on Teaching Children to Be Kind
We know as adults, it’s not always easy to be kind. And we may not always feel like helping someone out, especially when it means overlooking a mistake or putting aside our own grievances.
And whilst you may feel justified in digging your heels in, this, like any other behavior is infectious. Young children pick up on the ‘Why should I?’ stance and carry it forward in their own lives.
Pass on your own superpowers. Teach patience, kindness, and understanding. And check out these printable feelings charts to help your young person explore their own emotions.
And if you want more inspirational quotes, be sure to check out these blog posts:
- 51 Gratitude Quotes for Kids to Show Them Thankfulness
- 51 Reading Quotes for Kids to Hook Them on Books
- 121 Positive Kindergarten Affirmations That Kids Will Love
Finally, if you want to use these quotes to make a lasting change to your life, then check out and recite these 57 affirmations for success.
Rebel Jones has been writing from a young age. She first used poetry to organise words – the rhythm and flow brought peace to her chaos. But as she developed (both as a person and as a writer), she embraced her offbeat thought process and found her own style and tone. Writing is definitely her happy place and one that she’s happy to share with the world.